As humans, we do things that are, well, normal for us to do, like go outside to hang out with friends or work, put perfume, or wear clothes that change how we look. But for animals such as dogs, these actions can be seen as weird, confusing, or even threatening.
Take for example our love for hugs.
How humans use their forelimbs contrasts sharply with how dogs do. We may use them to carry large objects a dog would have to drag, but also to grasp each other and express affection.
Dogs grasp each other loosely when play-wrestling, and also when mating and fighting. Being pinned by another dog hinders a quick escape. How are puppies to know what a hug from a human means, when that behaviour from a dog might be threatening?
The Conversation lists 8 things that we do that make dogs confused. See them over at the site.
(Image Credit: birgl/ Pixabay)
The hugging thing reminds me of a time a police dog bit a reporter on the face after the reporter put his arm around the dog's shoulders.